Egg-crate fastener



May 13, 1924.

. 1,493,671 D. w. HAZEN EGG CRATE FASTENER' Filed June 2, 1923 gvwemfoz Patented May 13, 1924.

DANIEL W. HAZE-N, (3F BROOKER, FLORIDA.

EGG-CRATE FASTENER.

Application filed June 2,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL W. HAZEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooker, in the county of Bradford and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Egg-Crate Fastener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to box fasteners and more particularly to fasteners for egg crates and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient fastener of this character which may be readily secured without the use of any nails, screws or the like and whereby the life of the crate is greatly prolonged.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an egg crate equipped with this improved fastener; and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated, the crate or box B is shown provided with a removable lid L and having cleats C at the opposite ends thereof near its upper edge on the outer faces of the end members of the box.

The fastener constituting this invention comprises two cooperating members 1 and 2 here shown T-shaped in form constructed of light sheet metal strips. These members are exactly alike and hence one only will be described in detail. Each member comprises a shank 3 adapted to lie flat on the face of the lid L when in operative position, the shanks of the two members being of a length corresponding substantially to the length of the crate. The head 4 of each member is of a length corresponding to the width of the crate and is provided with laterally extending right angular terminals 5 and 6 which fit down over the cleats C and are apertured for the passage therethrough of a rod 7 which forms a pintle, each member being provided with one of these pintles. The heads 4 of the members Serial No. 643,100.

have on their outer edges down-turned lips 10 which fit down over the outer edges of the ends of the lid L as shown clearly in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the passage of the pintles 7 through the lateral terminals 5 and 6 of the fastener members and through the cleats C will hingedly connect these members to the box permitting them to be swung outwardly away from each other to provide for the removal and replacement of the lid L.

The free ends of the shanks 3 of the members 1 and 2 have outturned right angular ears 8 designed to be arranged in abutting relation when the fastener is closed and which are apertured to receive a connecting wire 9 which is twisted as shown in Fig. l to secure the members 1 and 2 in operative position and whereby the lid L is securely held on the crate.

l/Vhen it is desired to open the crate the wire 9 is untwisted or cut and the members 1 and 2 swung outwardly into open position thereby permitting the lid L to be removed. When the lid L is replaced the members 1 and 2 are swung inwardly toward each other thereby clampingly securing the lid on the crate and will be retained in this position by the wire 9 extending through the apertured ears 8 and on said wire being twisted as shown in Fig. 1. Obviously instead of using a piece of wire a padlock may be used if desired.

The crate and the fastener are both made of light weight comparatively thin material to lessen the cost of shipping.

Various changes in the form, shape, proportion and other minor details of construction may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention.

1. The combination with a box having a lid, lid clamps pivotally mounted on the box and adapted to swing toward each other over said lid and be held abutting with each other to receive a connecting element for retaining the lid on the box.

2. The combination with a box having a lid; of T-shaped members having the heads thereof extending transversely of and pivotally mounted on the box, and shanks extending toward each other having apertured abutting ears to receive a connecting element. I

3. The combination with a box having a lid, of cooperating T-shaped members formed of flat metal strips, the length of the heads of said members corresponding to the width of the box, said heads having right angular apertured lugs at their ends, means for pivotall-y connecting said lugs to said boX to permit said members to swing toward and away from each other, the free ends of the shanks of said members having onttnrned apertnred ears to receive a connecting element.

The combination with a box having a lid, cleats arranged transversely of the ends of said box at the upper edge thereof. cooperating T-shaped members formed of sheet metal strips having right angular apertured lugs at the ends of said heads, and rig-ht angular lips on the outer edges of the heads, adapted to engage said cleats, pintles extending through said lugs and cleats to pivotally connect said members to the box, the free ends of the shanks of said members having outturned apertured ears to receive a connecting'element.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL W. HAZEN.

Witnesses P. (-IrAINEY G. B. CALsoN. 

